T Talk (Mundane in the Membrane)

Top Ten Tuesday (Bringing it back!)

Top Ten Tips for Traversing the T (Mostly Green Line specific)

1. Inbound vs. Outbound: It's all about Park St. - This was explained to me by my Boston savvy upstairs neighbor and I've found it's pretty accurate. It's the first thing you look for and if you can at least suss out where your vicinity is to the Park Street Stop (The "center" of Boston,) you'll avoid 80% of typical misboarding errors.
2. Standing - Against a window or wall is best though the handicapped spot can easily be snagged by strollers and the occasional person the space was intended for. If you can deal with the floor moving the hinge isn't bad, though I have anxiety about getting pinched in the accordion walls. My personal favorite on the Green Line is on the steps of the doorway that isn't getting the frequent stops. Just be weary when wonky stops like Kenmore come around. 
3.  Stance - Low center of gravity. Feet splayed and not on a linear plane. Be aware of starts and stops and you can last through the crappiest of T conductors.
4. Sitting - Always look before you sit. Keep an eye out for the elderly and the pregnant. Sometimes even children will guilt you out of your seat. This is why if I know a train will get busy. I always choose to stand.
5. Fare Fairly - This one's a no brainer, but if you have to pay with cash or any non tapping method, go to the back of the boarding line. The conductor and your fellow transiters appreciate it. 
6. Closeness protocol - Personal bubbles disappear come rush time. Just be sure to avoid armpits and breathing/being breathed on by someone and you'll get through this together.  Smile and laugh if things get difficult.
7. Make you space (within reason) - Two sides to this puppy: You take up too much space and you're a dick, but if you let people push you around, you'll end up in a compromising spot, which is where I run into trouble. You can use this to your own advantage with most people if you just ever-so-slightly shift their way, they'll end up giving you more room.
8. Smells - They are many and they are horrible. My best strategy has been to cover with my own musk or get toward a door for some occasional fresh air, but I think this one is inevitable.
9. Ground your Backpacks! - In peak hours, this is infuriating. Backpacks make you bigger in a way you're not aware and also in the place where the bulk of most bodies are. Either take it off and let it live between your legs or carry a satchel bag.
10. One Hand - One Ear - This is rule more for me than anything...always making sure to have a free hand and only one earbud in so I can stay alert to what's happening. Some folks get so caught up.

Haiku of the Day:

Uniform gray sky
looms, while flecks of rain kiss cheeks
on a fall morning.

Today's Drawing (inspired by the word "Wheedle" from MW's word of the day. It means to coax or persuade someone.)

Today's "365" Project (Do something with time. I designed an alarm clock and an elephant for my show, "First, Second!")
"Ninth of all!"